System and method for securely positioning apparatus within a housing

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a device is attached to a support by positioning fasteners into the device at the leading and trailing edges of the device and then positioning the device with respect to the support such that the leading edge fastener(s) slide downward into a slot in a first bracket and the trailing edge fastener slides laterally downward into a slot in a second fastener causing both the first and second fasteners to be captured by lateral slots in the first and second brackets. In the embodiment, the first bracket has an L shaped slot while the slot in the second bracket includes a ramp. After the fasteners are captured by the brackets, the user, in one embodiment, may tighten the fasteners from the outside of a housing in which the support resides by inserting a tightening tool through openings in the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus positioning and more particularly toa system and method for securely positioning and attaching apparatuswithin a housing.

BACKGROUND

An apparatus, especially electrical apparatus, often must be added to,or removed from, its housing. In many situations, untrained users arerequired to do such removals and/or additions. One problem that existsin such a situation is that when screws are used to secure the apparatusin place they must be short enough so that when they are fully tightenedthey will not cause electrical problems within the apparatus. However,short screws are difficult to hold while they are being threaded intothe apparatus. This problem is compounded in situations where the screwsmust be inserted into (or removed from) the apparatus after theapparatus is positioned within a housing.

A further problem exists in that the screws, or other fastener devices,must also pass through a support bracket in order to firmly secure thedevice to the housing. This then presents alignment problems since thethreaded holes in the apparatus must line up with holes through thesupport brackets. Then the user, working through an opening in thehousing, must use some form of a tool, usually a screwdriver, to insertthe screw through both the support bracket and into the device to besecured. This procedure is tedious at best and for many users verydifficult to achieve.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment showing the teachings of the invention includes a methodof attaching apparatus to a support, by positioning fasteners into theapparatus, with at least one of the fasteners at a leading portion ofthe apparatus and at least one fastener at a trailing portion of theapparatus and by inserting the apparatus into the support such that theleading portion fastener slides downward into a slot in a first bracketand by lowering the trailing portion fastener into a slot in a secondbracket so that the trailing portion fastener slides laterally downwardcausing both the first and second fasteners to be captured by lateralslots in the first and second brackets.

In another embodiment showing the teaching of the invention there isshown a method of removing a device from a housing by removing a coverfrom the sides of the housing and inserting a tool through openingsexposed when the cover is removed and using the inserted tool, looseningfasteners which extend through brackets and into the device and pushingthe device laterally so that at least one of the brackets rotates oneend of the device out of the bracket; and manually lifting the other endof the device to free the device of the brackets.

Another embodiment showing the teaching of the invention includes asystem for mounting a device within a housing, the system comprising atleast one first bracket having a top opening slot into which a shank ofa fastener located at a leading portion of the device can engage, saidfirst bracket also having a slot communicating with the top openingslot, the top opening slot adapted for receiving the fastener when thedevice is moving perpendicular to the direction of insertion of thedevice into the housing, the communicating slot adapted for allowing thefastener shank inserted into the top opening slot to move laterally withrespect to the direction of insertion, and at least one second brackethaving a top opening into which a shank of a fastener located at atrailing portion of the device can engage, the second bracket having aslot communicating with the top opening, the second bracket top openingadapted for receiving the trailing portion fastener when the device ismoving perpendicular to the direction of insertion of said device intothe housing, the second bracket communicating slot adapted for forcing afastener inserted into the second bracket top opening to move diagonallyalong the lateral direction, the diagonal movement serving to laterallymove the fastening device which has been positioned into the firstbracket along the first bracket communicating slot.

In another embodiment showing the teaching of the invention there isshown a set of brackets, the bracket set including at least one pair ofbrackets for capturing and supporting an electronics device, the pair ofbrackets adapted for receiving the electronic device, the pair ofbrackets comprising a first bracket having an L shaped slot therein, theslot sized to accept in an opening at the top end of the slot the shankof a fastener affixed to a leading portion of the device, and furthersized to not allow a head of the fastener to enter the slot and a secondbracket having a modified L shaped slot therein, the modified L shapehaving a top portion extending from a top opening via a ramp portion toa laterally extending lower portion, the slot sized for accepting ashank of a fastener affixed to a trailing portion of the device, andfurther sized to not allow a head of the fastener to enter said slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a housing containing one illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a right side view from the outside of the housing of FIG. 1with the optional cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a left side view from the inside of the housing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of a housingcontaining one illustrative embodiment 10 in which apparatus (device) 11is to be mounted within housing 12. Housing 12 is shown with its topremoved. Housing 12 could be any height and could, and mostly likelywould, contain multiple apparatus the same or similar to apparatus 11.Back 103 of housing 12 would either not be present or would be moved outof the way so that apparatus 11 can be installed within housing 12.Screws or other fastening devices 101, 102, 101′, 102′ are inserted intoholes 104, 105 of apparatus 11.

While FIG. 1 of the illustrative embodiment shows four such fasteningdevices inserted into apparatus 11, it should be understood that therecan be any number of such fastening devices. Also, while the fasteningdevices are shown on the sides of apparatus 11, they could, in fact, bepositioned on the front or back taking advantage of the conceptsdisclosed herein.

Housing 12 has right side 20 (as viewed from the front) and left side30. Right side 20 has openings 21 and 22 therein, and left side 30 hassimilar openings. As will be seen hereinafter, when apparatus 11 is tobe placed into housing 12, or removed from housing 12, optional sidepanels 110 and 112 are removed from sides 20 and 30 by the removal offastening devices 111.

When it is desired to position apparatus 11 inside housing 12, the usergrips apparatus 11 from the sides of apparatus 11 and inserts apparatus11 from the top (as shown) or through the back of housing, 12 such thatfastening devices 101 and 101′ are positioned within brackets 41 and41′, respectively. After fastening devices 101 and 101′ enter brackets41 and 41′, fastening devices 102 and 102′ are positioned withinbrackets 42 and 42′. As will be more fully discussed hereinafter,brackets 42 and 42′ are constructed to seat fasteners 101, 101′, 102,102′ within brackets 41, 41′, 42, 42′, respectively. Brackets 41, 41′,42, 42′ are supported by housing 12. Housing 12 itself can act as asupport which, in turn, can be positioned inside another housing, eithersingularly or in combination with other apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a right side view from the outside of housing 12, withoptional side cover 110 off. Bracket 41 can be seen through opening 21in side 20 while bracket 42 can be seen through opening 22.

As will be discussed, when apparatus 11 (FIG. 1) is positioned insidehousing 12, fastening devices 101 and 102 would be positioned in theslots in brackets 41 and 42 and a user could tighten (or loosen) thepre-positioned fasteners by inserting and turning a tool (for example, ascrew driver if the fastening device was a screw) into opening 21 (22).

FIG. 3 is the left side view of side 30 from the inside of the housing12 of FIG. 1. Bracket 41′ is the forward bracket which will receivefastening device 101′, in the manner to be discussed, while bracket 42′is the rear most bracket and will receive fastening device 102′, also,in the manner to be discussed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment wheresupport 40 has a front 403 and back portions 404. Front 403 has optionalholes 405 for mounting support 40 to housing 12 as shown in FIG. 1.Similar holes or other mounting devices could be utilized to mount sides401 and 402 to sides 20 and 30 (FIG. 1), respectively, of housing 12.Support 40 has bracket 41 which has downwardly sloping side 411, baseportion 412 of the bracket, a stop portion 413 and a partial cover 414.Bracket 41 has opening 410 for receiving a fastener device, such asfastener device 101 of apparatus 11.

Support 40 also has at least one bracket 42 which is constructed withsloping side 421, base portion 422, stop portion 423, and partial coverportion 424. Bracket 42 has opening 420 for receiving a fasteningdevice, such as, fastening device 102 of apparatus 11.

Indention 43 and 43′ are optionally available to allow the user'sfingers to manipulate the apparatus 11 for insertion or removing fromhousing 12 (FIG. 1). Note that as discussed above, although apparatus 11is shown dropping straight down into bracket 40, it actually can slidein and out from the back, if desired.

When apparatus 11 is to be inserted into support 40 (which in turn ismounted within housing 12, FIG. 1), fastening device 101 (and, ifavailable, 101′) is inserted into opening 410 of slot 41 causingfastening device 101 to fall downward along surface 411 to base 412. Atthis point, rear most (trailing edge) fasteners 102 (102′) are aboveslot opening 420 of bracket 42.

The user then inserts fastener 102 into opening 420 of bracket 42.Fastener 102 moves laterally toward the rear of support 40 because ofrear sloping portion 421 of bracket 42. This lateral movement pulls allof the fasteners 101, 101′, 102, 102′ backward along surface 412, 422,respectively, where they are held in place by overhang 414, 424,respectively. Note that rear sloping ramp 421 which controls therearward lateral movement could be a forward sloping ramp causingapparatus 11 to slide forward into the brackets. This lateral movementallows the fastening devices to move clear of the bracket openingsthereby achieving a better gripping surface when tightened.

Once apparatus 11 is in place the user, using a tightening device, asdiscussed above, inserts that device through holes 21, 22, 31, 32(FIG. 1) to tighten pre-positioned fasteners 101, 102, 101′, and 102′ inapparatus 11. At that point the user can, if desired, place sides 110,112 against sides 20 and 30 to cover up the holes and finish theinstallation.

Removal of apparatus 11, or any other apparatus mounted in this manner,from housing 12 (FIG. 1) is accomplished by first removing panels 110and 112 by removing fasteners 111, and inserting a tool through holes21, 22, 31, 32 to remove or loosen fastening devices 101, 102, 101′,102′. The user then moves apparatus 11 forward causing the back ofapparatus 11 to rise upward along slop 421, (seen in FIG. 4) of bracket42, 42′. Once the rear end of apparatus 11 is free of brackets 42, 42′the user, by rotating the front of apparatus 11 upwards, can removefasteners 101 101′ from brackets 41, 41′. Note that optional sides 110,112 can be attached with snaps, screws, glue, friction, Velcro®, etc.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second illustrative embodiment havingsupport 51 where side supports 50 are constructed separately forpositioning inside housing 12 by interlocking supports 50 front and backwith support 51. Slots 512, in front 510 and back 511 can be used forthis purpose. Brackets 50 can be moved laterally from side to sideacross housing 12 to accommodate different size apparatuses 11.

In one embodiment, the fastening devices are ¼″ long and have a diameterof ⅛″, with a head of ¼″ and the bracket slots are {fraction (5/32)}″wide, with the bracket being {fraction (1/16)}″ thick, but it should berealized that any combination of sizes would work. Standard sizes, microsizes, as well as macro sizes (bridges, builders) can use the conceptsdisclosed herein.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A method of removing a device from a housing, saidmethod comprising: removing a cover from the sides of said housing;inserting a tool through openings exposed when said cover is removed;using said inserted tool, loosening fasteners which extend throughbrackets and into said device; pushing said device laterally so that atleast one of said brackets rotates one end of said device out of saidbracket; and manually lifting the other end of said device to free saiddevice of said brackets.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein at least oneof said brackets includes an L slot and at least one of said bracketsincludes a slot having a ramp and further comprising using said ramp toeffectuate rotation of one end of said device. 8-20. (canceled)
 21. Themethod of claim 6 wherein said fasteners include shank portions and headportions, and wherein said fastener head portions remain away from thebody of said device, and wherein said shank portions extend into saiddevice.
 22. The method of claim 6 wherein said fasteners are screws, andsaid tool is a screwdriver.
 23. The method of claim 6 wherein saidhousing comprises: a first one of said brackets having a top openingslot into which a shank of one of said fasteners located at a firstportion of said device can engage, said first one of said brackets alsohaving a slot communicating with said top opening slot, said top openingslot adapted for receiving said one of said fasteners, saidcommunicating slot adapted for allowing said fastener shank insertedinto said top opening slot to move laterally, and wherein said slots ofsaid first one of said brackets comprise an L shape with the slot havingsaid opening perpendicular to said communicating slot; and a second oneof said brackets having a top opening into which a shank of another ofsaid fasteners located at a second portion of said device can engage,said second one of said brackets having a slot communicating with saidtop opening, said second bracket top opening adapted for receiving saidsecond portion fastener When said device is moving perpendicular to thedirection of said pushing, said communicating slot in said second one ofsaid brackets adapted for forcing a fastener inserted into said secondbracket top opening to move diagonally along said direction of pushing.24. A method of removing a device from a housing, said methodcomprising: inserting a tool through openings in said housing; usingsaid inserted tool, loosening fasteners which extend through bracketsand into said device; pushing said device laterally so that a firstbracket rotates a first end of said device out of said first bracket;and manually lifting a second end of said device to free said device ofsaid first bracket and a second bracket and said housing, wherein saidsecond bracket includes an L slot and said first bracket includes a slothaving a ramp, said method further comprising using said ramp toeffectuate rotation of said first end of said device.
 25. The method ofclaim 24 wherein said pushing said device laterally causes said firstend of said device to rise upward along said ramp.
 26. The method ofclaim 24 wherein said manually lifting a second end of said devicecomprises rotating said second end upward.
 27. The method of claim 24further comprising removing a cover from the sides of said housing. 28.The method of claim 27 wherein said sides are attached using one of theitems selected from the list consisting of: snaps; screws; glue;friction; and VELCRO®.
 29. A method of removing an electrical devicefrom a housing, said method comprising: inserting a tool throughopenings in said housing; using said inserted tool, loosening fastenerswhich extend through brackets and into said electrical device; pushingsaid device laterally so that a first bracket rotates a first end ofsaid electrical device out of said first bracket; and manually lifting asecond end of said device to free said electrical device of said firstbracket and a second bracket and said housing, wherein said secondbracket includes an L slot and said first bracket includes a slot havinga ramp, wherein said housing includes: the second bracket having a topopening slot into which a shank of one of said fasteners located at afirst portion of said electrical device can engage, said first bracketalso having a slot communicating with said top opening slot, said topopening slot adapted for receiving said one of said fasteners, saidcommunicating slot adapted for allowing said fastener shank insertedinto said top opening slot to move laterally, and wherein said slots ofsaid first one of said brackets comprise an L shape with the slot havingsaid opening perpendicular to said communicating slot; and the firstbracket having a top opening into which a shank of another of saidfasteners located at a second portion of said electrical device canengage, said second one of said brackets having a slot communicatingwith said top opening, said second bracket top opening adapted forreceiving said second portion fastener when said device is movingperpendicular to the direction of said pushing, said communicating slotin said second bracket adapted for forcing a fastener inserted into saidsecond bracket top opening to move diagonally along said direction ofpushing.